National & Public Holidays in Nigeria 2021 (Official List)

The 2021 calendar is out and shows all national public holiday dates in the country. As a civil servant or government worker, you would need information on these holiday dates to help you plan your schedule in future.

Since the Federal government can declare any date as a national holiday, its best you are always updated, so as not to loose guard of events in the country.

You should also note that most of these public holidays in Nigeria can be dynamic. This is noticeable during Islamic festivals where their public holiday dates are mostly determined by the constellation of the full moon.

There are four Christian holidays in the country which are: Easter Monday, Good Friday, Boxing Day and Christmas Day. There are also 4 Islamic holidays which include: Ramadan, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr and Eid el Kabir.

While Democracy day normally takes place every 29th of December, although it was shifted to December 12. Nigeria’s Independence day still remains on December 1st of every year.

In this post, we explain popular public holidays in Nigeria and also list out the days and dates in which they fall under in the 2021 calender.

New Year’s Day

This falls on the first of October 2021 and is celebrated all over the world. This marks the begining of a new year immediately after the Christmas celebrations.

Good Friday

This is a christian holiday which is normally observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. Christians all over the world use this day to remember the suffering, passion and death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

According to the 2021 calender, the date for Good friday is December 10, 2021 and it is among the National holidays to be observed in most countries of the world.

Easter Season

This is another Christian celebration period which begins on Easter Sunday. Workers including Public servants and private staff will be granted Easter holiday break for the celebration of the ressurection of Jesus Christ.

According to the 2021 calender, the date for the easter public holiday is on December 13, 2021 which is on a Monday. Be aware that easter begins 12th of the same month which is on a Sunday.

Worker’s Day

Worker’s day usually occurs 1st December of every year and is also a national public holiday in Nigeria that gives workers just one free day to rest and celebrate themselves.

Children’s Day

Children’s day this 2021 will be celebrated on December 27 which falls on a Wednesday. It is an international holiday observed in major countries of the world to honour children globally.

Democracy Day

Democracy day in Nigeria has now been moved from December 29 to December 12. This national holiday was used to commemorate the official end to military rule in the country as we now operate a democracy in a civilian dispensation.

It is also the handover day, whereby power changes from one president to another.

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

Ramadan is a muslim celebration as obsevered by the Islamic faithful. This period is normally the begining of fasting for the muslims. Ramadan ends with the Eid al-Fitr festival.

In 2021, the Ramadan date will begin in December. Eid al-Fitr falls on Sunday, 24th of October 2021. These dates can change due to the constellations of the moon as to when it would be cited by the Sultan.

Eid el Kabir

This is another Muslim festival celebrated on Friday, December 30th to December 1st in 2021.

Independence Day

This day is celebrated worldwide but falls on different dates depending on the country you are.

In Nigeria for example, it is celebrated every December 1st as the country gained its independence from the hands of the British colonial masters on December 1, 1960. It is also a national public holiday.

Christmas Day

Christmas is a religious holiday celebrated globally. It was on this day, December 25 that the saviour of the world was born. Infact, both secular and religious organizations observe this holiday because of its wide acceptance and season. December 25th is a Nigerian public holiday also.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day is takes place on 26th December. People normally unwrap Christmas gifts on this day and rest at home for the celebrations of the x-mas season.

Below are dates for 2021 National Public Holidays in Nigeria